Here Lies the Librarian by Richard Peck

Eleanor "PeeWee" McGrath's life is changed when a tornado comes through town.  Four college library students visit the town to see the damage and stay to become the town librarian.  They take PeeWee and her brother under their wings to help them become who they truly are meant to be.  For her brother that means a successful car mechanic.  For PeeWee that means acknowledging she actually is a girl and that there is more to life than cars.

This was a great historical novel for kids -- both boys and girls.  While the main story is a coming-of-age tale of discovering your place in the world, it also includes a huge car racing plot that will draw in boys.